U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that it is renewing its Automated Commercial Environment Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test, a National Customs Automation Program test concerning ACE export manifest capability. This voluntary pilot initially began Aug. 10, 2015, it was modified and extended Aug. 14, 2017, and it was further extended Dec. 22, 2021, and June 4, 2024.
The Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test is a voluntary test in which participants agree to submit export manifest data to CBP electronically at least four hours prior to loading of the cargo onto the aircraft in preparation for departure from the U.S. This pilot examines the functionality regarding the filing of export manifest data for air cargo electronically in ACE. ACE creates a single automated export processing platform for certain export manifest, commodity, licensing, export control, and export targeting transactions. CBP states that this will reduce costs for the agency, partner government agencies, and the trade community, as well as improve facilitation of export shipments through the supply chain.
The Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test is also assessing the feasibility of requiring the manifest information to be filed electronically in ACE within a specified time before the cargo is loaded on the aircraft. This capability will enable CBP to calculate the risk and effectively identify and inspect shipments prior to loading of cargo to ensure compliance with all U.S. export laws.
Data elements which are mandatory under the pilot must be provided to CBP for every shipment, while data elements which are conditional must be provided to CBP only if the particular information pertains to the cargo. Data elements which are optional may be provided to CBP but are not required. These data elements are as follows:
- exporting carrier
- marks of nationality and registration
- flight number
- port of lading
- port of unlading
- scheduled date of departure
- consolidator (conditional)
- de-consolidator (conditional)
- air waybill type (master, house, simple, or sub)
- air waybill number
- number of pieces and unit of measure (optional)
- weight (kg./lb.)
- number of house air waybills (optional)
- shipper name and address
- consignee name and address
- cargo description
- AES Internal Transaction Number or AES Exemption Statement/Exception Classification (per shipment)
- split air waybill indicator (optional)
- hazmat indicator (yes/no)
- UN Number (conditional; if hazmat indicator is yes, the four digit UN Number assigned to the hazardous material must be provided)
- in-bond number (optional)
- mode of transportation (containerized air cargo or non-containerized air cargo) (optional)
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